OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

Life after landing in Canada

Facing a new chapter in life is no joke. Most immigrants who moved to
Canada are one in saying that the most critical aspect of being a new
immigrant is integrating into the labor market.

Two years after landing in Canada, Statistics Canada traces the
development of landed immigrants particularly their participation in
the labor force. The details of the latest research comprise the
report of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants in Canada: Progress
and Challenges of New Immigrants in the Workforce.

New job after arrival

Starting a new life in Canada begins with finding a suitable employment.

The study shows that a big majority of the immigrants, around 80% or 8
out of 10, found a job during their initial two years in Canada and
most of them stayed in that job for more than a year. Sustained
employment is more pronounced among the principal applicants wherein
more than half of those interviewed (64%) stayed with their jobs for
18 months or more.

Half of those who found employment got a job in their chosen field of
occupation. Of the new immigrants who found job after landing, 70% of
them started within six months after arrival and the rest, within a
period of 7 months to one year.

Switching jobs

Half of the immigrants who found job held only one job. Of these
single job holders, more than half of them held on for more than a
year and were still working in that same job at the end of their
second year. The other half held more than two jobs during the span of
two years.

In some cases, changing jobs is unavoidable particularly if it
involves a transition from part-time to full-time jobs. In five
immigrants, one of them would work as part-time in their first job and
full-time in their second job. Engaging in a part time work is one way
of getting local experience and integrating into the labor market. A
big majority worked full-time in both their first and second jobs,
around seven out of ten immigrants.

Changing jobs also mean moving to other types of industry or
occupation. For instance, an immigrant who worked first as a Cashier
switches to being an Accountant after acquiring the necessary
credentials assessment. Around three out of ten immigrants were able
to move to occupations that involve higher skill requirements.

Barriers faced

As they say, living in Canada is not a bed of roses. New immigrants
have to endure stumbling blocks along the way. One of these is lack of
experience in the Canadian workforce. Being new in a foreign land,
they have to face the reality that their experience in their home
country cannot be counted as experience in the Canadian labor market.
Others encounter the lack of acceptance or recognition of their work
experience or qualifications. Some companies chose not to acknowledge
the work experience of new immigrants in their home country. Hence,
some of the immigrants enroll or undergo some training courses to
upgrade their educational qualifications.

Satisfied regardless of difficulties

New immigrants are still pleased with their job despite any challenges
they face along the way. Two years after landing in Canada, a big
portion of the immigrants are contented with their jobs, especially if
they were able to use their training, if they found their intended
occupation or if they worked full time.

Two years after landing in Canada, the life of a new immigrant has
taken a new twist. Though integrating into the labor market is not
easy at first, eventually, a new immigrant finds a slot where he fits
in. He is able to gain enough Canadian experience that will be his
ticket to a better rewarding career. He takes on more training and get
hold of appropriate skills that will make him more marketable.
Generally, new immigrants are satisfied with their job after two years
of landing in Canada – a fact that, indeed, Canada offers them a new
vista of living life gracefully.

FLOR T. VASQUEZ
Blk 25, Unit 4 Uniwide Coastal Mall
Parañaque City
02 8790144/8797998
florvasquez_cic@yahoo.com
http://want2go2canada.blogspot.com